The Ark, A Cultural Centre for Children presents
Toys!
See the toys of the past, build the toys of the future! Come into a wonderful world of toys at The Ark with an exhibition of toys from the 20th century coupled with a series of daily workshops where children and young people of all ages will have the opportunity to build a unique toy of their own creation.
Exhibition: A Century of Toys
See the toys of the past...
Look at the history of the twentieth century through the toys children played with in each decade. Every toy has a story and this exhibition will bring these stories to life for children and their families of every generation. Tracing each decade from 1910 up until the present day, children will get to see their own favourite toys, alongside those of their parents, grandparents, and even great grandparents.
From classic toys including a doll’s house, train set, a 1940’s war game and Star Wars figures in the Seventies; see how world events were staged on the playroom floor. And to add to the fun, the basement of The Ark will be transformed into a games area, where you can play with some larger than life toys.
This intimate exhibition, a curated selection of Mrs. Hanley’s collection, is a self-guided tour, although there will be staff on hand to assist. The information panels tell the story of these special toys and if you wish to take part in the quiz as you explore the exhibition, please collect a questionnaire in reception.
| Dates: | Thursday 5 July– Saturday 18 August |
| Times: | 10am–5pm Tuesday to Saturday
(last admission 4pm) 12pm–5pm Sunday (last admission 4pm) |
| Age Range: | 3–14 years |
| Prices: | €5 / €4 concession* [exhibition only] |
| ** price for students, senior citizens, the unwaged, those parenting alone and their accompanying children | |
Mrs Hanley - The Master Toy Collector
Curated in association with the V&A Museum of Childhood, The Ark is delighted to present a century of magical toys from the astounding collection of Mrs. Dorothy Hanley.
During her early teens, in England, Dorothy Hanley was taken regularly to visit her grandmother’s friend, Polly Greenwood, whose only belongings not thrown on a bonfire after her death were some old dolls given to Dorothy. This inspired her to begin collecting and when she later moved to Ireland, she collected from junk and antique shops and from auctions in country houses, her eye focusing on the nurseries and children’s items forgotten by others. Her incredible collection includes gifts from abroad and many toys of contemporary interest.
Jigsaw Genius
Working with a different toy-related theme each week, children will design their own completely unique and ingenious jigsaw puzzle. Through a magical process, their design will be trans-formed into a jigsaw to take home and enjoy.
| Dates: | 5 July – 18 August - Wednesday to Saturday |
| Times: | 11am |
| Duration: | 60 minutes |
| Age Range: | 3 – 5 years |
| Prices: | €9 / €7 concession* [workshop and exhibition] |
| ** price for students, senior citizens, the unwaged, those parenting alone and their accompanying children | |
Mechanical Superheroes and Heroines
Using a variety of different craft materials, children will design their own superhero or heroine with unique special powers and costume. Then, through the magic of physics, they will turn their design into their very own moving figure.
| Dates: | 5 July – 18 August - Wednesday to Saturday |
| Times: | 12.30pm |
| Duration: | 90 minutes |
| Age Range: | 6–8 years |
| Prices: | €9 / €7 concession* [workshop and exhibition] |
| ** price for students, senior citizens, the unwaged, those parenting alone and their accompanying children | |
Supported by Discover Science and Engineering
Fantastical Flying Machines
Create a flying machine! In this workshop children will work together to design, engineer, build and decorate a genuine Zeppelin using motors, propellers and helium. Exploring science and art, they will have the opportunity to experience all aspects of making the machine and witness its first flight.
| Dates: | 5 July – 18 August - Wednesday to Saturday |
| Times: | 3pm |
| Duration: | 90 minutes |
| Age Range: | 9 - 11 years |
| Prices: | €9 / €7 concession* [workshop and exhibition] |
| ** price for students, senior citizens, the unwaged, those parenting alone and their accompanying children | |
Supported by Discover Science and Engineering
Zeppelin
Advanced Zeppelin-making workshops will take place on Tuesdays, exclusively for 12 –14 year olds. Young people will be divided into groups, working collectively to imagine and design several different Zeppelins in each workshop session, using motors, propellers and helium.
| Dates: | 10 July – 14 August Tuesdays |
| Times: | 10am & 2pm |
| Duration: | 3 hours |
| Age Range: | 12–14 years |
| Prices: | €12 / €10 concession* [workshop and exhibition] |
| ** price for students, senior citizens, the unwaged, those parenting alone and their accompanying children | |
Supported by Discover Science and Engineering
Zeppfest
The sky above Meeting House Square in Temple Bar will come alive as all participants in our Fantastical Flying Machines and Zeppelin workshops are invited back to The Ark to show off their Zeppelin creations to an eager crowd. Don’t miss it!
| Dates: | Friday 17 August |
| Times: | 3pm |
| Duration: | 1 hour |
| Age Range: | All ages |
| Prices: | Free (no booking necessary) |
Supported by Dublin Airport Authority
All Together
Now!
Family Workshops
Why not show your Mum, Dad or Guardian what really goes on at The Ark? Each Sunday, your family (including aunts, uncles, godparents and grandparents) can participate in a Zeppelin, Jigsaw or Mechanical Superhero Workshop together. One for all the family! (Rotating Schedule – please enquire at Box Office).
| Dates: | 8 July – 12 August Sundays |
| Times: | 12.30 pm & 2.30pm |
| Duration: | 90 minutes |
| Age Range: | 1-100 years |
| Prices: | €30 / €24 concession* for a family of four [workshop and exhibition] |
| ** price for students, senior citizens, the unwaged, those parenting alone and their accompanying children | |
The Irish Film Institute and The Ark, A Cultural Centre for Children present
Toys on Film Weekend
Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 July
Want to see films about toys? Learn about toys that inspired early filmmakers? Use 21st century toys to make your own films? Do all this and more at the IFI Toys on Film Weekend, running in collaboration with The Ark Toys! Summer programme.
Animators in Residence
Learn the art of animation with the 21st century toy – the movie camera. Make your own film in this two-day workshop with our animators-in-residence, Delicious 9.
| Dates: | Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 July |
| Times: | 10.30am – 4pm |
| Age Range: | 10 – 12 years |
Saturday 28 July
March of the Wooden Soldiers
Have a classic morning at IFI with this Laurel and Hardy hit in which the two play well-meaning but brainless toymakers in Toyland. Songs, laughs and thrills make this a perfect film for all the family.
| Date: | Saturday 28 July |
| Times: | 12 noon |
| Age Range: | All ages |
Presentation/Display
See some of Ireland’s most cutting-edge animators and computer gamesters at work in the foyer.
| Times: | 10.30am – 4pm |
Animation Toys
Learn about the early toys and inventions that made pictures move. Bring your own pictures to life with flick books and zoetropes.
| Times: | 12 noon |
| Age Range: | 8 - 12 years |
Toy Story - Family Screening
See everyone’s favourite toys on film in this modern animation classic.
| Time: | 2.15pm |
Sunday 29 July
Shadow puppet making & Lotte Reiniger film
Lotte Reiniger was a film director and animator, fascinated with the Chinese art of silhouette puppetry. Make your own shadow puppets and see Reiniger’s The Adventures of Prince Achmed, the first-ever animated feature film.
| Times: | 11.30am |
| Age Range: | 8 – 12 years |
21st Century Toys – play or dismay?
How does your child play today? As computer games replace more conventional toys, what might be the longterm effects of such technology-driven play? Leading representatives from Internet safety, film distribution, classification and parents’ organisations will discuss this question and issues relating to contemporary toys.
| Times: | 1pm |
Toy Story 2 Family Screening
Follow up on Buzz and Woody’s adventures in the sequel, when Jessie the cowgirl arrives on the scene.
| Times: | 2.15pm |
All Toys on Film events will take
place in the Irish Film Institute, 6 Eustace Street, D2.
For more information, please phone 01 679 5744 or email education@irishfilm.ie
For booking information, phone 01 679 3477 or book online at www.ifibooking.ie
